Begging behavior is a common problem in dogs. Often the cause is easy to find, but to get rid of begging, a lot of persistence is needed. A dog who begs, or ‘scoffs’ as it is popularly called, learned this behavior because it was tolerated by its owner. Often the owners do not realize what they are doing wrong and therefore the damage is done quickly. Fortunately, you can stop begging in a few simple steps, provided you show enough consistency.
Cause
As with all problem behaviors, you must first find the cause. This cause is quite simple in begging behavior. The dog once had a treat while you were at the table and he stayed there, hoping that another piece would follow. Dogs often have greater persistence than humans, with the result that the begging behavior often yields another treat. Overrewarding can also lead to this behavior. So owners who reward their dog with treats for everything are better off finding another way to praise their dog. A friendly pat, working with a clicker, going for a walk or just playing around. All these forms of attention are also a reward for the dog. So try to limit the candies for things that are really important.
Why should you stop begging?
There are plenty of owners who do not mind their dog’s begging behavior. Visite, however, does not like a scuttling dog next to them. It can even make them enjoy their meal less. Even small children who have food in their hands do not like it when the dog can just steal the food away. If the child then tries to take back that treat, a very dangerous situation can arise. Also consider the health of the dog, which can be compromised if it gets too much food from its owners. Obesity is just one of those problems, but it is also important to realize that dogs cannot tolerate all foods that are suitable for human consumption.
Resist the temptation
You probably recognize it. Your dog looks at you with wide eyes and sits silently staring at you. That sweet look makes you succumb and you soon share a piece of food with your four-legged friend. For the dog this again means that his intention has been successful. Many dogs will not get up after that stretch and walk away, on the contrary. So the most important thing is that you learn to ignore your dog. You are the pack leader and you can therefore decide when you eat and when your dog eats.
Dare to be strict
So resisting the temptation is a first step in getting your dog to stop begging. Chances are, however, that your dog will pull out all of his tricks to persuade you anyway. Some dogs learn quite quickly that they are not getting anything and will settle down after a while. However, the four-legged friends whose begging behavior is deep-seated will need a tougher hand. Being strict does not mean getting angry with your dog, on the contrary, it just confuses him. He is then punished for something he has always done. It is much better to ignore your dog’s intrusive behavior, but if this is not enough, feel free to push him back and say ‘no’ or ‘fie’ briefly. This way you command the dog’s respect and let him know clearly that you don’t want him to come near you when you eat. Make sure to use a firm and determined voice. Dogs can recognize emotions based on your voice. When you use the right intonation, you will also command more respect.
Stubborn dogs
Animals that have been allowed to beg for years will not be so easy to ignore or push away. These dogs are better taught to stay put while you eat. For this you have to take the time to teach your dog the command ‘stay’ first. As soon as the dog listens carefully to this command, you can always extend the time and possibly end the exercise with a treat. This way your four-legged friend learns that he can also earn something without begging. If this exercise goes well, you can try to eat something small. If your dog comes away from his place and comes to you, you immediately stand up, you leave the food on the table and you say firmly ‘no’, supplemented with ‘place’ or ‘stay’. Only when your dog is relaxed back in place do you start eating again. Keep repeating this consistently until your four-legged friend doesn’t move from his place.
Reward at the right time
Of course you can still reward your dog, but it is important to do this at the right time. Some moments when you should absolutely not reward the dog;
- The dog is staring at you all the time
- The dog cannot rest and starts panting nervously
- Barking, squeaking or any other voice
- Try to get a little closer to you with small movements (point the dog back to its place)
In general, you can conclude that lying neatly is good behavior and that all ways to get your attention should be ignored. Do not punish, because shouting something to the dog is also a form of reward. After all, attention is what the dog wants, regardless of whether this is positive or negative attention. Only when the dog really gets too close are you allowed to get up and point it back to its place. Preferably do this without words and only use the learned command.
Everyone must cooperate
Obviously, it doesn’t help much if you try to unlearn the dog’s begging behavior, but your partner or children do give him treats. So it’s important for your dog to learn that everyone in the family treats him the same. This prevents confusion in the dog and only then will he unlearn the behavior. Make sure you also make this clear to friends and family who come to visit. If they do hand things to the dog, the effort has been in vain. So also pay attention if you leave your dog at an accommodation with acquaintances. It is important to explain that the dog should definitely not be given food or treats as a reward for begging.
Begging is unlearned, what now?
Once the dog shows all signs of good behavior, the main task follows; keep holding on. Make sure the dog doesn’t accidentally relearn the behavior by eating a fallen crumb, as this will make him think there is still food available in your area. It is therefore best to avoid that the dog comes near you when you are eating. However, don’t forget to reward him for good behavior, such as staying in his basket while you are eating dessert. If the dog stayed in place during the meal but still stared at you all the time, you should definitely not reward him. This gives him the impression that he is achieving something with this staring behavior. After all, staring is also part of bawling. Don’t always try to spin rewards around candies, because a good portion of attention is just as effective.